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Alumni Corner: Taylor Emerson

April 23, 2025

Alumni Corner: Taylor Emerson
April 2025

This month we’re catching up with Taylor Roberta Marteau Emerson (2007-2013), who sang with Preparatory Choir, Apprentice Choir, Intermediate Choir, and Concert Choir before moving to Berlin, where she finished high school.

Taylor most recently served as a Program Officer for Film, Music, and Sports Diplomacy at the U.S. Department of State under the Biden-Harris Administration in Washington, DC. Even while working in government, she found many opportunities to sing and was no stranger to open mics, musical improv, and Broadway shows.

 

What Years Were You in LACC?

I was in LACC from 2007 to 2013. In 2013, my family moved to Berlin, Germany because my father was appointed U.S. Ambassador under President Obama and Vice President Biden. I guess public service runs in the family. I had to leave LACC, my friends, and life in LA to start over in Berlin as a high schooler. While the transition was challenging, it also opened the door to incredible opportunities, like writing my first musical!

 

Do You Have Any Fond Memories of Song in Your Early Life?

My twin sister, Hayley, and I were the definition of double trouble. We were kicked out of classical piano training, ballet class, and even had to repeat a year of Prep Choir. Thankfully, LACC didn’t give up on us. 

At the time, I was too young to realize what a gift that was, but today, I’m deeply grateful to my choir directors: Anne Tomlinson, Mandy Brigham, and Amy Brehm, as well as Ann Giesler and the whole LACC team for giving me another chance to grow, not just as a singer, but as a person. LACC was the first place where my sister and I found an artistic pursuit that actually stuck. Well, that and theater…

Growing up, my parents often took me to see shows, and I attended theater classes and camps like Interlochen and Idyllwild, which deepened my love for the performing arts. I sang with Hayley and my older sister, Jackie, who is also an LACC alum and now a professional singer. As kids, we would put on elaborate performances for our parents’ friends. There were far too many acts, but we had definitely all caught the performance bug.

The first time I truly found my voice was years later, playing the Star-To-Be in Annie at the Children’s Theater Group of Southern California. When I sang the solo in rehearsal, the director, Bonnie, called my voice a “powerhouse.” The Star-To-Be wasn’t the lead, but she was a symbol of every kid who’s ever hoped and dreamed of something more. In just 16 bars, I had a story to tell.

That’s when I realized that no matter what I did in life, no matter how small the part or opportunity, I’d always keep singing. I loved the way it made me feel, the way I could express myself, and the way I could uplift voices, reach across the aisle, and change hearts through song.

 

How Did You First Get Involved With LACC?

My grandparents, Papa Jim and Grandma Migs Emerson, attended the church where LACC rehearsed and got to know Mr. and Mrs. Tomlinson. After hearing wonderful things from Grandma Migs, my mom knew it would be the perfect fit for my sisters and me. She signed us up, and the rest is history.

 

What Is a Favorite Memory, Tour, or Concert Experience With LACC?

I have too many, but hands down touring in South Africa was one of my favorite LACC memories. 

Performing with the Drakensberg Boys Choir, sharing our cultures, and singing “Shosholoza” together was unforgettable. But one moment in Soweto really stands out: while singing in a church, my eyes met those of a woman in the front row. All of a sudden, everyone was on their feet, voices rising together, and somehow, she and I were holding hands, smiling and singing together, as if we had known each other our whole lives. Years later, working at the State Department, I realized that moment was music diplomacy.

Also, I will never forget my first opera, Keepers of the Night, where Hayley and I played clouds and delivered our one line: “We are coming! We are coming! Good morning, Dear Mistress, Selena.” This was during our devil children era… I’m 99.9% sure we only got the part because we were twins.

Okay, just a few more quick memories:

• Singing with Concert Choir at Santa Monica’s Third Street Promenade and then getting shut down because we needed a permit (whoops).
• Watching Fourth of July fireworks from the Kennedy Center rooftop during the East Coast tour.
• Attending the LACC retreat and In-N-Out Burger Sundays!
• Being handed a shell by Desdemona on stage in Otello Act II but falling asleep in the audience during Otello Act IV.
• Singing Mahler’s Symphony No. 8 under Gustavo Dudamel and the LA Philharmonic at The Music Center’s Walt Disney Concert Hall and performing Carmen at the Hollywood Bowl!
• Serving sunglasses and dramatic choreography for “It Don’t Mean a Thing.”
• Nailing “Ubi Caritas,” my favorite LACC piece, after soooo many rehearsals with Mrs. T and Twyla! To this day, whenever my family finds a space with good acoustics, my mom always says, “Sing that ‘Ubi Caritas’ song!” We confidently start the first couple lines in unison, and then it kind of falls apart once the four-part harmonies kick in.
• Reuniting with Concert Choir at the U.S. Ambassador’s Residence in Berlin. It was an emotional homecoming. When we sang Sail Away together, I was right back in my LACC red vest and black skirt. It felt like no time had passed.

 

Where Are You Living These Days?

My family is still in Los Angeles, but I currently live in Washington, D.C. with Hayley. This fall, however, I will be leaving my twin sister for the first time ever to move across the pond for grad school!

 

Are You Still Singing? What Else Are You Up to Now?

Yes! All three Emersons are singing! 

Jackie is a professional actor, writer, and musician in Los Angeles, and Hayley works for a non-profit at the nexus of climate and media/culture, Grounded (she previously served as Special Advisor in International Affairs at the U.S. Department of Energy under the Biden-Harris Administration).

By night, Hayley and I compose and improvise music as The Emerson Twins. We’ve performed original songs and covers across the DC-Maryland-Virginia region, New York, California, Germany, China, and even at the annual Twinsburg Festival in Ohio. When we’re not performing our music, we’re singing at piano bars with friends (shoutout to Shaw’s Tavern and Sid Gold’s) and performing on Washington Improv Theater (WIT) musical improv teams. 

I also find myself supporting shows written, directed, and led by women: a very special moment was performing “Keep Marching” from the musical Suffs for Secretary Hillary Clinton at two separate events (the highlight of our lives!), and also this month, I made my Broadway Co-Producing Debut with John Proctor is the Villain at the Booth Theater in New York City. Writing a musical for Broadway remains the fever dream (manifesting!).

 

By day, I recently concluded my dream job at the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA), supporting the Cultural Programs and Sports Diplomacy Divisions.

In Cultural Programs, I collaborated with embassies, artists, and studios to uplift Oscar-nominated international films and other impactful works, fostering cross-cultural dialogue through storytelling. Under Secretary Blinken’s U.S. Global Music Diplomacy Initiative, I helped develop and launch the American Music Mentorship Program with the Recording Academy (GRAMMYs) and played a key role in expanding the U.S. Global Music Ambassadors Program with YouTube, managing a portfolio of artists like Herbie Hancock, Denyce Graves, and Teddy Swims.

In Sports Diplomacy, I served as the cultural lead for major international sporting events, identifying creative opportunities for global collaboration, including the Paris 2024 Olympics and Paralympics, the 2026 FIFA World Cup, and the upcoming LA28 Games!

 

Before joining the State Department, I worked at the U.S. Department of Education, supporting strategic partnerships and HBCU initiatives in the Office of the Secretary to advance educational equity and opportunity. I’m currently working with the #EDMatters campaign to support our federal employees and highlight the vital role of the U.S. Department of Education and why it matters. Before entering government, I served on the 2020 Biden presidential campaign in Maricopa County, Arizona, and later on the Presidential Inaugural Committee, which inspired my move to D.C. and commitment to public service.

That said, no matter where I end up, LA will always be home.

 

Do You Have Any Advice for Current LACC Choristers?

LACC is one of the most illustrious children’s choirs in the world, so you’re here by no accident. I still include it on my resume because it was a defining force early in my life. Looking back, I didn’t always appreciate the process: the long rehearsals, the extra homework, more rehearsals… more homework. Once you see the dedication, craft, and professionalism pay off in performance, that’s when you finally understand what it was all for.

If you can, say yes to the retreats, field trips, and tours! Those are the moments when the real bonding happens. In 2022, two of my fellow alums organized a 10-year reunion Zoom call. It was amazing to catch up, reflect on the good and hard times, and even rewatch some of our old performances.

 

Once an LACC chorister, always an LACC chorister. You become part of a lifelong community!

 

What’s Your Favorite Song?

I wish I had an all-time favorite, but here’s what I can share:

• “God Only Knows” by The Beach Boys is the best love song ever written.
• Beyoncé’s Renaissance will be on repeat ‘til the day I die… so will “II Most Wanted.”
• Joni Mitchell’s “Both Sides Now,” Billy Joel’s “Vienna,” and Randy Newman’s “When She Loved Me” are my favorite songs to play on the piano when I need a good cry.
• Doechii is for sure my favorite artist right now. “Boom Bap” is my current state of being.
• If I could only listen to one song for the rest of my life, it would be Disneyland’s Fantasmic! by Bruce Healey. It’s 23 minutes of musical genius, nostalgia, and nighttime spectacular-ity. The last four minutes alone are the true meaning of Disney magic.
• In the Heights – yes, the whole musical by Lin-Manuel Miranda is a masterpiece. To be fair, this show is the reason my sister and I put on a musical about twins in high school and college. So much of what we write is inspired by Lin’s work (and also that of Sondheim, Larson, Schwartz, Pasek and Paul… you get the picture).

 

How Has Your Experience as a Performer Prepared You for Where You Are Now?

LACC gave me a strong foundation in music, especially in teaching me to harmonize, read sheet music, and appreciate different languages and cultures. As a proud Alto II, I love singing lower harmonies, but I recently discovered I can sing soprano, too! LACC deserves the credit for my good vocal habits: always learning, growing, and caring for my voice. More than anything, LACC showed me how music connects people worldwide, a lesson I later lived out as a full-time professional at the State Department.

Beyond music, LACC instilled teamwork, discipline, and adaptability, preparing me to thrive in high-pressure environments. Performing at the Kennedy Center, Hollywood Bowl, and Walt Disney Concert Hall with Gustavo Dudamel built my confidence on any stage, literal or figurative. LACC gave me the tools and passions that drive my work today, and for that, I am forever grateful.

 

What Does LACC Mean to You?

LACC represents community, belonging, and – without being too cheesy – hope. Looking back, I realize what truly made LACC so special was the people behind the scenes: the choir conductors, pianists, vocal coaches, operations team, administrative staff, parent volunteers, and everyone who kept us going. Their dedication, care, and belief in this choir are what took it from great to something extraordinary.

Answering these questions and looking through old photos brought up memories I hadn’t revisited in years. A fellow chorister alum even sent me old recordings, and as I sat listening, I found myself singing along without missing a beat… except maybe on “Ubi Caritas.”

And then I came across two photos: one from our 2011 East Coast Tour, visiting the White House, and another from my first time back in 2022, now working for President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris. The photos were taken from almost the exact same angle, over a decade apart. And somehow, in both, I was wearing LACC red, which is wild considering I never wear those pants. Still, it felt serendipitous and full circle.

In many ways, LACC is music diplomacy. It not only gave me the courage to pursue my own musical passions, but also introduced me to a world where music could be a force for global impact. It’s something I hope to continue carrying forward in my personal and professional life. 

My time with LACC ended a bit abruptly when I moved to Berlin, and funny enough, so did my chapter in public service. In a strange parallel, I’m now moving back abroad to Europe. Okay, now comes the cheese: If there’s one thing I know, it’s that wherever this path leads, wherever I sail away to, LACC will be right there with me.

“And when you’ve got your liberty, don’t you want to sail away?”